Thread: Congressional Dist. 15 candidates weigh in immigration ruling

THE MONITOR: What is your reaction to news that the nation’s highest immigration court has delayed the deportations of several families as part of the Obama administration’s latest efforts to combat illegal immigration?

Rance “Randy” Sweeten: We live in a land guided by laws and not the whims of man so that we as citizens can believe in and trust our system. When any branch of the government decides it can ignore our constitution and our laws we have a responsibility to stand up and take action. The immigration court cannot ignore our laws regarding those that enter our country illegally and by their actions violate our constitution and our trust.

Juan "Sonny" Palacios: Immigration courts have a special role in facilitating and pausing deportation when they see fit. If the court saw it was necessary to halt deportation that is their decision. I personally do not want to see families split apart and I think we need to give them an opportunity to prove their need of refugee status. Our country is a proud nation of immigrants. Like the generations who came before us, these people that come here want what all Americans want: to raise strong families, and seek new and better opportunities for their children. I fully support President Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA) executive actions and will help push the DREAM Act. I also encourage a system that honors families and keeps them together. People should come to this country with a visa, and we should have a system that allows them to do so within reasonable limits tied to our economic and societal needs and that is adjusted over time. I would like to end family detention, close private detention center and believe everyone should be treated humanely.

Vicente Gonzalez: As a lawyer I believe in due process. It’s part of what makes America unique and admired around the world. We were assured by the Department of Homeland Security that these “immigration raids” were rounding up those who had exhausted all other legal options. We now know that is not the case, and I applaud the court for defending everyone’s right to appeal, especially those with limited means.

Ruben Ramirez: I believe in the operation and rule of law. If you agree with that statement, then the news of the delay in these deportation proceedings was a victory and here is why. In our great country, you are afforded certain rights and the government must respect those rights. Due Process protects your rights from government infringement. No matter how guilty you may appear to be, everyone is afforded Due Process under the law. Illegal immigrants are no different. In this case, these families were reportedly not given time to exhaust (use) all their legal option — as is allowed under law — so the Board of Immigration Appeals rightly delayed their deportations. Our constitutional rights and equal application of the law is what makes America great. If we start allowing “short cuts” in our legal system because it is “convenient,” then we will start setting a dangerous precedence that will lead to the eventual erosion of everyone’s rights.

Joel Quintanilla: I fully support a review of our current immigration policies that govern a fair process for foreign entry, including a certified vetting system for all immigrants entering the United States. Mistakes have been made during these initial raids. I fully trust Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson and the federal agents of Immigration, Customs and Enforcement to enforce current immigration laws, but to also provide all appeals and opportunities for these families seeking asylum and the children that have entered the United States beyond their control. This is consistent with the kinds of priorities that the President himself has talked about; that our enforcement efforts need to be focused on deporting felons, not families. Currently, families are being taken to a family detention center in Dilley, Texas, where lawyers are waiting to help. But the lawyers say many detainees have been blocked from seeing legal representatives. Lawyers in Dilley found that almost all the women they spoke to hadn’t filed the appeals they were entitled to. In some cases, they were poorly represented and, in others, they weren’t informed of subsequent steps. Regardless, this process is taking too long and is costing the taxpayers millions of dollars while having to wait for what the next step is going to be. In order to find a solution to this failed immigration process.

Dolly Elizondo: Congress needs to fix our broken immigration system. America always has and should continue to be a haven for innocent victims fleeing oppression and violence, but I do believe there should be a strong screening process that goes along with that. I have concerns about ICE and the Justice Department’s efforts to combat illegal immigration that result in breaking up families and putting these victims of oppression and violence back in harm’s way. Hopefully this stay by the court will allow these cases and our refugee policy to be re-examined, but the real solution needs to be an action by Congress to fix our broken immigration system.

Congressional Dist. 15 candidates weigh in on Oregon standoff, immigration ruling

5 of 6 candidates are hispanic - is this the USA?